The Aina Mahal in Bhuj, India, is an old Palace that was built in the 18th century. The erstwhile palace which belonged to Maharao Lakhpatji has now been transformed into a Museum that is one of the chief Tourist Attractions in Bhuj. The Aina Mahal is famous for a housing an awesome Hall of Mirrors from which the palace get its name (Aina in Hindi means mirror).
About Aina Mahal in Bhuj, Gujarat :
The last ruler of Kutch Maharao Madansinhji established the “Maharao of Kutch Aina Mahal Trust on 1st January, 1977. Aina Mahal means a mirror palace. It was created by the artists Ramsinh & Gaidhar Devshi in the period of Maharao Lakhpatji (1752-61). In 1757, Rao Lakhpatji visited the emperor Alamgir in Delhi. He was graced with the title of Mahi Maratib. He welcomed foreigners in his court. Fortune brought him a man named Ramsingh malam who specialized in Kutchi architecture, enamel work, jewellery, tile work and interior decoration. The great master piece of Ramsingh is the Hall of Mirrors in the Aina Mahal.
The walls are white marble covered with mirror which are separated by gilded ornaments.The hall is lit by elaborate pendant candelabra with shades of Venetian glass. The hall of mirrors is on the second floor of the Aina Mahal but Ramsingh devised ingenious pumps and siphons to raise up water to fill the pleasure pool and to operate fountains which cast spray in an intricate variety of patterns charming the eye and cooling the air. The small state apartment, carpeted with exquisite Kutchi silk embroidery, its walls paneled high with the same priceless fabrics still contains Maharao Lakhpatji’s bed.
The hall is filled with a miscellaneous collection of objects; a Dutch Clock, English and French celestial globes, some antique pictures, mechanical toys, glass and china. On the walls of the corridor are a variety of pictures, some European and many Indian. The Aina Mahal alone cost eight million kories and was only one of the many enterprises which the Maharao and Ramsingh undertook together.
Hall Of Mirrors :
The real attraction here, though, is the Hall of Mirrors, created by the master artisan, Ram Singh Malam, under the patronage of his poet-ruler, Maharao Shri Lakhpatji around the middle of the 18th century. A blend of Indian and European artistry (Ram Singh acquired, his skills in Europe), the walls of the great hall are of white marble covered by mirrors separated by gilded ornaments, lighting being provided by elaborate candelabra, with shades of Venetian glass. It has a platform above it surrounded by a series of fountains operated by an elaborated system of pumps below a Venetian chandelier. Another remarkable feature is the pleasure pool, in the middle of which rises a square platform where the Maharao composed his poems and gave encouragement to the classical arts of dancing girls, bards and musicians.
Best time to visit :
The best time to visit Aina Mahal Palace is during winter months from October to March. The weather remains pleasant while the temperature ranges from 20 to 28 degree Celsius.
Trivia :
The master craftsman Ramsinh Malam spent 17 years in Holland and received his training in various fields like clock making, cannon fabrication, enamelling, tile making and architecture so that he could make Aina Mahal Palace an architectural marvel of today. Interestingly the artisan Ramsinh Malam created each and every material required for the Aina Mahal Palace locally.
Timing :
Aina Mahal Palace is open throughout the year from 9:00 am to 11:45 am and from 3:00 pm to 5:45 pm.
How To reach There :
By road: For those traveling from Ahmedabad, the bus may be more convenient than the train, though slightly more expensive. Several private companies run sleeper buses (with a full horizontal bunk), leaving the city for Bhuj between 8pm and 11pm, arriving in Bhuj between 6am and 8am the next morning. These bus companies all have their offices around Paldi in Ahmedabad; Sahjanand Travels and Patel Travels are two recommended ones. There are also private sitting (non-sleeper) buses, and ST (State Transport) buses that make the trip for less money but considerably less comfortable seats.
By rail: Two daily express trains, the Bhuj Express and the Kutch Express, go from Bhuj to Ahmedabad (8hrs) and on to Mumbai (16hrs.) However, both trains pass through Ahmedabad in the middle of the night, as the schedules are designed to depart and arrive and reasonable hours from Bhuj and Mumbai, not Ahmedabad.
By air: One or more flights daily connect Bhuj to Mumbai.
Once in Bhuj, ST buses go to larger destinations around the district, private jeeps can also be rented (a good option for larger parties), and some smaller places can only be reached bychhakdas.